Kunle ADELABU & Segun Adesuyi (Photo Credit)
Council Chairmen, APC party leaders and members across the six Local Government (LG) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Ikorodu division gathered on Tuesday, June 12,2018, at the Ita-Elewa Open-Space,Ikorodu, to celebrate the federal government’s pronouncement of June 12 as the new democracy day.
The event, which was held simultaneously across the 20 local governments in the State, was powered by the six councils in Ikorodu division.
Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Government, while speaking on behalf of the six councils in the division, stated that the late symbol of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Moshood Abiola, would forever be remembered as the Champion of Democracy in Nigeria..
“I am delighted to welcome you all to this memorable occasion which marks the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the 1993 general Elections, which were annulled in the same year”, he stated while welcoming the people to the event.
“The late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola will forever be remembered as the Champion of Democracy which signifies the importance of today, June 12″, he stated while eulogizing the late winner of the election.
“Bashorun Abiola was a philanthropist and lover of all, and he was widely accepted by the people as the President-elect.
“He won the 1993 Presidential Election which was declared as the freest and fairest in the history of Nigeria, but was wrongfully annulled by the then Military Head of States, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
“We are all gathered here today to celebrate the great icon of democracy who has been honoured by President Muhammadu Buhari. The President will continued to be remembered for giving this national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (GCFR) to Bashorun Moshood Abiola post-humously to mark the historic 2018 edition of the June 12 anniversary” , Hon. Adeshina stated.
“I want to use this opportunity to congratulate all the Nation Builders, the heroes, and the political activists who were involved in the struggle for democracy in Nigeria up to this present time”.
He also used the occasion to call on the generality of Ikorodu people to ensure that they get their Permanent Voters Card (PVC).
“At this point, I want to seize this opportunity to remind the good people of Ikorodu about the forthcoming general elections. I enjoin you all to go for your Permanent Voters card (PVC)”, Hon. Adeshina stated while appealing to the people on the need to get their PVC.
The council boss also called on the people to support the second term ambition of Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.
“I implore all and sundry to massively support our amiable Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, on his second term bid in office for the purpose of continuity of his great works in Lagos State”.
“We must always sloganeer, “Ambode lekan si”, meaning “Ambode for second term” . My dear people of Ikorodu division, all hands must be on deck to make the lofty dreams of our great party, All Progressives Congress (APC), remain a reality in Lagos State and all over Nigeria by ensuring that our candidates are voted into power at state and national levels come 2019 elections” , he stated while canvassing for the yet to be determined candidates of the party.
Comrade Sesan Daini, the chairman of Igbogbo/Bayeku LCDA, in his goodwill message, eulogized late MKO Abiola and other heroes and heroines of June 12 and democracy, dead and living, for paving the way for the democratic rule being enjoyed in Nigeria today.
He appealed that the lessons of the June 12, death of Abiola and the entire struggles towards the actualization of the dreams of the freest and fairest elections must be kept alive.
Other speakers that extolled the ideals of June 12 struggles and late Moshood Abiola were Barr. Saheed Shillings, former chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu branch, Hon. Sunmi Odesanya, former Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and former Member, Lagos State House of Assembly Commission and Presy Mickey Odesanya, a physically challenged activist and community builder who was one of the leaders that led the struggle against the annulment of June 12 Presidential Election in Ikorodu.
Others dignitaries in attendance at the celebration were Hon. Adeola Banjo, chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon. Wasiu Agoro, Chaoirman, Imota LCDA, Hon. (Princess) Jumoke Ademehin, chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon. Ameen Apanisile, Vice Chairman, Ikorodu North LCDA, Alhaji Musliu Animashaun (De Cubano), APC chieftain, Alhaji Badru Enifeni, APC chieftain among many others.
